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Issue 205
| January 2012| news page |
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Polymer Industry News |
January 2012 |
Issue 205 |
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NEWS INDEX
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FLEXOSKIN® barrier film for protection of flexible photovoltaics
• Transparent and weather-resistant protective layer opens up new areas
of applications
 The
name says it all. Like a protective skin, the new FLEXOSKIN® barrier film
from Evonik Industries covers flexible photovoltaic modules to protect
them against the adverse effects of wind and weather. Although FLEXOSKIN®
is highly transparent and transmits visible light; it blocks harmful UV
radiation and also prevents penetration of moisture. In this way, the
flexible barrier film performs a similar function to the heavy glass
plates used for rigid modules.
The barrier film was introduced in Europe under its new brand name at the
PVSEC photovoltaics trade show in Hamburg, Germany. The U.S. launch
followed shortly after, at the Solar Power International trade show in
Dallas, Texas.
Evonik's barrier film has been specially developed to meet the
requirements of the photovoltaic’s industry; bringing to the market a
cost-effective product with high barrier properties. This combination of
cost savings and product performance fills that gap in respect of
currently available barrier films.
The material combination of FLEXOSKIN® thus allows the use of flexible
photovoltaics in locations where heavy, rigid modules cannot be used, as
on flat roofs of large industrial halls and residential buildings that for
structural reasons may be loaded only to a limited extent, on car roofs
and backpacks, where the flexible photovoltaic modules can serve as mobile
power sources.
FLEXOSKIN® is currently being tested by various customers. Samples are
available, also in the form of rolls with widths of up to 1200 mm.
Website:
www.evonik.com
Website:
www.flexoskin.com
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 Triple
Decker from UPM
UPM Conveyors have established preferred
supplier status to Finlay’s Fresh Produce who were the first suppliers of
Fairtrade vegetables into the UK. Roger Broughton Group Engineering
Manager states UPM were selected due to their ability to offer bespoke
solutions to product handling in Kenya where trouble free operation and
zero maintenance are priorities.
UPM were able to offer a solution to Finlay’s application based on a
triple decker belt conveyor to allow four operators per side to transfer
product from the lower conveyor to fill boxes on the middle conveyor with
empty boxes being transferred on the top roller conveyor at a rate of
2,000 kilos per hour.
Finlay’s, established in 1750, has a substantial horticultural business
which is involved in the growing, processing, packaging, marketing and
distribution of cut flowers and premium prepared fresh produce, supplying
several leading UK retailers. The company has major farming interests in
Kenya, South Africa and China and is the largest vertically integrated
added value horticultural producer and exporter of fresh produce and
flowers from Africa to the EU. Finlay’s produced over 165 million packs of
vegetables for the UK retail market in 2010 amounting to 29 million kilos
of the freshest vegetables.
The UPM philosophy is simple and based on working in partnership with
people, sharing their knowledge and experience gained over 37 years, with
UPM accepting total responsibility for turn key projects operating to the
agreed specification and to the customer’s satisfaction which is the
result of a Performance Guarantee allowing peace of mind.
Website:
www.upmconveyors.co.uk
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Celstran®
PP LFT stabilizes award winning design chair
Reinforced polypropylene provides star designer with freedom of exclusive
design
 The
Brazilian public enthuse over and award various contemporary design prizes
for plastic chair "IC01-Chair" presented by Brazilian star designer Guto
Indio da Costa. Its light weight and cost efficiency helped glass fiber
reinforced polypropylene win over its conventional rivals. It gives much
freedom of design, is easy to process and provides high stability.
Ticona's glass fibre reinforced polypropylene Celstran® PP LFT turns the
Brazilian plastic chair "IC01-Chair" into an award winning and exclusive
design model.
Plastic chairs lost their cheap furniture image years ago and have since
found their way into exclusive furniture design boutiques. Designers soon
discovered the particular properties of plastic materials and the options
they provide with special regard to the many variations of shape and
colouring. However, extravagant modern designs keep putting the material
to the test. Thus, the new award winning "IC01-Chair" by Brazilian
designer Guto Indio da Costa is made of Ticona's glass fibre reinforced
polypropylene.
Celstran® LFT in just a single moulding process. When it comes to classy
design objects, the material is favoured for its good mechanical
properties, high dimensional stability and superb surface quality.
A material gains new ground
A design chair is a very new and unusual challenge for Celstran® PP LFT.
Its well-balanced combination of properties made it stand out against its
rivals. In terms of design options, processability and cost efficiency, it
clearly leaves behind non-reinforced polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
(ABS) and chopped strand reinforced nylon and polyester.
It provides unparalleled freedom of lightweight design. Weighing just 5.5
kg, the chair made of Celstran® PP LFT with 30% glass fiber content is a
lot lighter than competing models made of other materials. "In addition to
the significant weight and cost advantages over typical materials used in
similar applications, this Celstran PP LFRT offers high stiffness,
strength, toughness and low warpage while providing wide design latitude,
colourability and a much better surface finish out of the mould", says
Simone Orosco, Development and Marketing Manager of Ticona, Brazil.
 Straight
benefits
All types of Celstran® PP LFT support very cost-efficient and lightweight
solutions. Walls of even thickness substantially reduce the weight while
providing enhanced properties, a fact that automotive engineers are
particularly interested in and that is gaining importance as e-mobility
keeps emerging. But the lightweight and stable materials also prove their
worth in a chair. Their little tendency to creep improves the resistance
to pressure and warping and, thus, reduces the loss of surface and coating
layers. Due to their high impact strength, damage and cracking during
packaging, shipment and assembly are much reduced.
They also excel in their enhanced notch toughness which results in an
excellent load transmission and a highly predictable response to low
temperatures. The latter is a key factor of outdoor use of the chair in
winter. Another feature is their sound durability over a wide temperature
range. Further features are their excellent tensile strength and
elongation as well as their plastic deformation response to overload which
prevents the chair from collapsing suddenly. But even the most fanciful
design not only needs to look good but it must also be safe.
The surface quality of a classy design chair must meet strictest
requirements. This property is a core characteristic and often a crucial
factor of choosing a material for many visible parts in passenger
compartments, housings of electrical appliances or school furniture. The
diversity of colour shades is obtained by simply adding the appropriate
colour batch during the injection moulding process.
"IC01-Chair" scoops awards
Plastic chair "IC01-Chair" enthuses the Brazilian public and wins various
contemporary design prizes focused on styling, harmony and coherence of
design. After its successful presentation at the Design Week in Rio, the
chair came second of the 2009 Brazil Ideal Award at the eco design
exhibition. The interested public awarded it further prizes at the 2009
IDEA / Brazil and the 2010 Design Movelsul.
"IC01-Chair" is the outcome of a successful cooperation of the
internationally experienced Brazilian designers Indio da Costa of Rio de
Janeiro and Pnaples, a plastic processing company also of Rio de Janeiro.
The team is very experienced in the area of innovative design. Together
with their sales partner Tecnopolymer, international plastics producer
supported and assisted in the technical side of the development.
Since the middle of 2011, the chair has been out on the South American and
US markets in a variety of colours. A well-known restaurant in Sao Paulo
has already shown some interest in the deluxe chairs that cost 400 to 500
USD a piece. Celstran® PP LFT has had a chance to prove its excellence and
is likely to hold its grip on this segment outside its standard industry
of automotive engineering. Indio da Costa are already considering it a
potential candidate for another of their design projects.
Outlook
In the last couple of years, the South American plastics market has grown
by 5 percent especially in Brazil that is acquiring an increasing European
customer database (source: Plastics Institute release of 14 Oct. 2011).
Brazil is anticipated to become an increasingly important stakeholder of
the European plastics market. The chair is a foretaste of more Brazilian
design to come.
Website Ticona:
www.ticona.com
Website Celstran® LFT:
www.ticona.com/products/celstran
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 LS5
Materials Testing Machine Launching at Chinaplas 2012
Booth No: W1TBC, Chinaplas 2012,
Shanghai, PR China, 18-21 April 2012
The new LS5 single column materials testing
machine from Lloyd Instruments, is on show for the first time at Chinaplas
2012. The LS5 provides enhanced travel, accuracy and flexibility for
plastics, rubber and packaging materials testing applications under 5kN
force with a crosshead speed range from 0.01–1016 mm/min. Other
instruments on show from the company’s comprehensive range of materials
testing machines will include the LS1 single column machine and the
LR10KPlus twin column materials tester, together with Davenport™ polymer
test equipment and Chatillon® force measuring equipment.
Designed for routine QC testing or complex multi-stage tests, the new LS5
can perform a comprehensive range of tests including tensile strength,
compression, flexural, peel, shear, static and kinetic coefficient of
friction and many more. Load accuracy of ±0.5% down to 1% of load cell
value provides high dynamic range, reducing the number of load cells
required.
Available in 800mm (5kN) and 1400mm (2.5kN) travel versions, the LS5 will
be shown equipped with an EX800Plus contacting extensometer. A wide throat
depth (140 mm) provides a large sample working area. PC control is
provided through Lloyd Instruments’ NEXYGENPlus materials testing
software. Handheld controllers and integrated control consoles are also
available.
Other materials testers on show are the LS1 single column machine, an
affordable high precision solution for materials testing applications up
to 1 kN (225 lbf) capacity and the LR10KPlus twin column machine for
versatile materials testing to 10 kN (2248 lbf). The Chatillon® TCD225
Series Digital Force Tester for testing to 500 N (110 lbf), together with
a range of hand held mechanical and digital force gauges and sensors can
also be seen.
Davenport™ polymer test equipment on display will include the PETPlus
Intrinsic Viscosity (IV) measurement instrument for measuring the
intrinsic viscosity of PET bottles, pre-forms and reground material for
recycling and the MFI-10 melt flow indexer, an intelligent, modular system
for the determination of the melt flow properties of a polymer.
Website:
www.lloyd-instruments.co.uk
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 CHINAPLAS
Shows its Presence at PLASTINDIA 2012
India has become the top one from more than
130 countries and regions of overseas visitors for CHINAPLAS these years.
Apart from the in-depth cooperation with
local media and travel agencies, the organizer will participate at
Plastindia 2012 from 1-6 February 2012 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India.
Visitors who pre-register at the booth will receive fabulous souvenir
immediately and their visitor badges, together with other redemption coupons
in advance.
The Future is in Plastic and Rubber -
The Future Zone
With the green concept and future development
in plastics and rubber industries, the organizer will stimulate innovative
thoughts and create impressive designs on plastics / rubber products through
collaboration with universities / design institutions and our exhibitors in
the coming CHINAPLAS.
The Future Zone in CHINAPLAS 2012 will be the
limelight of the show, which consists of “Nurturing our Future” and “Premium
Design Gallery”.
The zone will not only showcase innovative
products combining advanced plastics and rubber technologies with
forward-looking design insights to highlight the eco-friendliness &
sustainable properties of plastics and rubber in different applications, but
also connect our future leaders with the market players to jointly explore
the future developments of the industry. Various sponsorship programs are
available.
For details, please email to
chinaplas@adsale.com.hk
CHINAPLAS 2012 Website in Multi-lingual Versions is Now Launched
Hot releases of CHINAPLAS 2012 website in
various languages, including Japanese, Korean, Italian, Spanish, Russian and
Arabic are now ready. In order to let your friends grasp the first hand
information on CHINAPLAS 2012, SHARE this globalized virtual platform with
your industry friends all over the world NOW!
Japanese - Korean - Italian - Spanish -
Russian - Arabic
Website:
www.ChinaplasOnline.com
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Borealis increases polyethylene and polypropylene prices
 Borealis,
a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions,
announces that it will increase all polyethylene and polypropylene prices
by EUR 100/tonne for January, 2012.
“This decision to increase prices reflects
our assumptions on the economic development and it's necessary for the
implementation of our Value Creation through Innovation strategy,”
comments Gerd Löbbert, Borealis Executive Vice President Polyolefins.
Website:
www.borealisgroup.com
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 Innovations
in Mould making
A disposable toothbrush without noticeably burdening the environment?
A colouring pencil injected in one operation?
What sounds like a vision of the future has long since been reality at
ZAHORANSKY Formenbau GmbH Formen- und Werkzeugbau in Rothenkirchen.
In research projects shared with the West Saxony High School Zwickau and
the TU Chemnitz, ZAHORANSKY has realised two innovative manufacturing
processes on the basis of renewable, biobased raw materials and developed
them ready for series production.
The „cardboard toothbrush“ is one of the resource-saving alternatives for
disposable solutions in the hotel and air travel areas. The raw materials
required for the manufacturing process are biobased and renewable as well
as fully recyclable.
The use of biopolymers is hereby also an economic and socially interesting
factor. The price coupling of synthetic, oil based plastics to the
continually climbing oil price and the increased interest of consumers in
ecologically harmless products and processes are no longer factors that
can be ignored.
The disposable toothbrush is based on a biologically degradable, fibre
filled compound (composite made of pure basic materials).
To this end, waste paper fibres are pressed to free-flowing, bulk solids
and thereafter processed with a matrix to injectable granulate. The matrix
thereby consists of a biopolymer (e.g. PLA, PHB,...).
The injection moulding technology and the mould technology has been
successfully implemented together with the West Saxony High School Zwickau.
Similarly astounding is the pencil/colouring pencil made completely of
natural fibre improved bioplastics and a compound lead produced in one
operation in the injection moulding process.
The until now traditional production of lead and coloured pencils required
thirteen costly work cycles. This manufacturing process is cost and energy
intensive.
An innovative, sustainable and cost-cutting production process is
available to the stationery industry through the 2-component injection
moulding of the complete pencil, including lead, casing and ergonomic
characteristics.
This process, too, has been developed ready for series production by
ZAHORANSKY and the TU Chemnitz in cooperation with a leading stationery
manufacturer.
These two outstanding projects in application research illustrate the high
innovation power of the ZAHORANSKY Group.
The current „going green“ and sustainability issues are an especially
important focus of the research made by all groups.
In most of the ZAHORANSKY Group’s products, innumerable resource-sparing
solutions are now being implemented. From energy saving measures, the use
of biobased raw materials through to increases in productivity, the issues
of the future are already being innovatively addressed
Website:
www.zahoransky.de
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WRZ-HÖRGER Sontheim: Recycler Starts Up New Post-consumer Film Recycling
Line
WRZ-HÖRGER in Sontheim has launched a new post-consumer film recycling
line recently. With this new wash/separation line this recycling plant is
now able to increase its capacity to up to 7000 tonnes per year. DSD film
waste is recycled into high-quality agglomerate or regrind.
The turn-key plant delivered by HERBOLD Meckesheim (www.Herbold.com)
consists of a wet size-reduction step with an upstream separation device
for extraneous materials, separation technology based on a hydrocyclone
and a mechanical/thermal drying step. Downstream of the plant operates a
plastcompactor in order to transform the film material into agglomerate
with excellent flowing properties and high bulk density. The end product
can be used for the production of moulded parts.
WRZ-Hörger has the whole recycling chain on site, from collecting over
sorting to recycling and is therefore in line with the current trend:
Curbside collectors and sorting companies are installing their own
recycling technology, and processors of recycled materials are also
installing their own reclamation technology. This adds to the
effectiveness of the recycling process, and the operator benefits in terms
of value creation from two or even three steps, from collecting to the
manufacture of the end product.
The agglomerates produced by WRZ-Hörger meet the highest quality
requirements; the company works in three shifts.
Website:
www.Herbold.com
Website:
www.wrz-hoerger.de
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“Economic miracle”: Allrounder reliably in operation since 1966
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Wilh. Wissner wins
"Economic Miracle" anniversary competition
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Allrounder 150 has
produced suspender clips for 45 years
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Partner Eugen Hehl
presents company with new electric Allrounder 370E as prize
 As
the highlight of the "50 years of Allrounder" anniversary, Arburg held its
“Economic Miracle” anniversary competition at the Fakuma 2011 trade fair.
The aim was to find the oldest Allrounder in original ownership, still
being used in production. The prize was a new electric Edrive series
machine. It went to the company Wilh. Wissner, Göppingen (Germany), which
has been using it to produce clips for suspenders for 45 years. During a
festive celebration in Lossburg on 8 December 2011, Arburg Partner Eugen
Hehl handed over the Allrounder 370 E with Managing Partners Juliane Hehl,
Michael Hehl and Renate Keinath in the presence of Managing Directors
Helmut Heinson and Michael Grandt.
“I’m delighted that our technology of the day still works and is in
reliable operation today,” said Partner Eugen Hehl during presentation of
the anniversary machine. “With our new electric Allrounder E 370, more
application options will be available to you in the future.”
“That’s very much in
line with our intentions. The high-quality Edrive machine fits perfectly
into our plans,” replied the delighted Wissner Managing Director, Dr.
Andreas Lederer. “Because we know that Arburg offers sophisticated
technology and perfect service, we will continue the Allrounder success
story and keep this machine in operation for several decades too,” he
added with a smile.
Allrounder in operation continuously since 1966
Dr. Andreas Lederer
was accompanied by Production Manager Siegfried Eberle and retiree
Bernhard Nägele, who was responsible for commissioning the nominated
machine, an Allrounder 150, in the autumn of 1966 in order to produce
suspender clips. At the time, Wissner devised a solution for feeding the
fabric strip onto which a plastic component was injection moulded. And the
Allrounder 150 has been producing the same product to this day, a period
of 45 years.
Durable machine technology from Lossburg
The high performance
and durability of the first Allrounders is also evidenced by the fact that
160 companies – from Germany, Europe, the US and even South Africa –
participated in the anniversary competition. All of these continue to use
their Allrounders in injection moulding production to this day. The
success story of the Allrounder injection moulding machines covering five
decades is a veritable economic miracle – for our customers, for the
sector and, of course, for Arburg. In 1961, the invention of the
Allrounder principle revolutionised conventional ideas regarding injection
moulding. For the first time, production was possible in different working
positions using a pivoting clamping unit and interchangeable injection
unit. New, modern application processes were thus made possible. Over the
years, the unique modularity of the Allrounder injection moulding machines
has developed from the Allrounder principle. Whereas in 1961, the
Allrounder was a single machine for all applications, today, thanks to the
unique modularity, the ideal machine can be individually configured for
any application. Today therefore, the Allrounders precisely meet all
customer and application-specific requirements. Since the market launch of
the first Allrounders, the Arburg machines have been characterised by
precision and reliability. All Allrounder machines are produced
exclusively at the production location in Lossburg with the mark of
quality “made by Arburg – made in Germany”.
Winning machine produces lingerie
At Wissner, around a
dozen Allrounders are in use today, including models from the first
generation. In addition, the company regularly invests in new machines. It
produces components with supporting, shaping, holding, adjusting and
fastening functions for lingerie and orthopaedic products. In addition to
suspender clips, these include bikini clips, bra underwires and bandage
accessories. With the new Allrounder 370 E, the company wants to develop
and produce new orthopaedic and medical technology products among others.
Website:
www.arburg.com
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Addex Introduces Industry's Most Advanced Internal Bubble Cooling (IBC)
System
Digital Internal Bubble Cooling (DIBC) Method Delivers Quick
Changeovers and Major Scrap Reduction
Addex Inc., a leading global supplier of blown film equipment and
components, has introduced one of the industry’s most advanced internal
bubble cooling (IBC) systems for blown film extrusion lines. The Digital
Internal Bubble Cooling (DIBC) system delivers the fastest reaction time
in the industry to ensure precise bubble control, helping processors to
speed product changeovers and significantly reduce scrap.
 “We
have elevated the technology to a new level, offering one of the most
sophisticated bubble cooling systems on the market,” said Rick von Kraus,
president of Addex Inc. “At a time when resin prices are high and scrap
reduction is a major concern, the DIBC represents a major advancement that
helps processors realize major raw material savings.”
The five-sensor
system features a high-speed, servo-controlled air regulation valve that
performs split-second corrections in bubble size (up to 20 adjustments per
second). Processors have reportedly switched from a 40-in layflat to a
60-in layflat in seconds instead of the minutes it took with the previous
system. Addex also reports that at least one film processor has reduced
annualized waste by just over 60,000 lb of material, which equates to a
1.5 RMS (Raw Material Savings = annual percentage of raw material saved).
von Kraus said the DIBC system went through several iterations in terms of
software development and creation of the unique air regulation valve.
Patented split
sensors enable the air flow intake and exhaust to react to the slightest
changes in bubble size at or below the frost line where the bubble size is
not yet final. A set of two non-contact ultrasonic sensors are aimed at
the bubble below the frost line where size changes, particularly with low
melt-strength resins like metallocenes and LLDPEs. This allows an
immediate correction by the intake/exhaust blowers via the AC
inverter-controlled blowers. For the more critical layflats, this is done
via the high-speed servo reaction control valve.
A second set of two
ultrasonic sensors are aimed at the bubble above the frost line where
bubble size is stable to calibrate the lower sensors to ensure the size is
kept constant. The DIBC system includes a fifth ultrasonic sensor that is
aimed at a fixed target in order to calibrate the other four sensors whose
readings can be altered due to changes in air temperature.
The 100% digital
circuit system eliminates errors caused by interference due to electrical
devices like corona treaters or ultrasonic sensor driftings. Thanks to the
digital circuitry, the DIBC continues to function if one, two, or three of
the four ultrasonic sensors fail. However, in split-level set-ups, one
sensor must function at each level.
The DIBC system is
versatile because it can be used with 100% blower speed control
(recommended for trimmed films) and with the air valve control for the
tightest possible layflat control. User friendly features include a
limited number of buttons and switches along with operator alerts that
indicate an off-center or “breathing” bubble.
The DIBC system can
be integrated into any Addex or non-Addex complete line control system.
Website:
www.addexinc.com
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Songwon, Pan Gulf and Polysys signed a MoU for global manufacturing and
sales of OPS
At the Annual GPCA
forum 2011 in Dubai (UAE), Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd., Pan Gulf Holdings
and Polysys Industries proudly announce their intention to form a global
cooperation for the manufacturing and sale of Songnox® OPS. This follows
the recent announcement of Songwon Industrial Group regarding the
acquisition of Additives Technology Greiz GmbH (ATG), one of Europe’s
largest manufacturers of One Pack Systems (OPS).
 The
three companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a
Joint Venture to be named Songwon Additive Technologies AG, which will
become the parent company, having control over ATG, as well as a series of
manufacturing and commercial JV’s in the Middle East. The partners of
Songwon Additive Technologies AG will consist of Songwon Industrial Group,
Pan Gulf Holdings of Saudi Arabia and Polysys Industries of Abu Dhabi.
Mr. Jongho Park, Chairman and CEO of Songwon Industrial Group, stated:
“The Middle East market is the next logical step for Songnox® OPS and our
partnership with Pan Gulf and Polysys puts us into an excellent position
to capitalize on the growth potential in the region. We fully expect to
have the first manufacturing JV in Saudi Arabia operational by the end of
2012 and we aim to have the second manufacturing JV up and running in
early 2014 located in Abu Dhabi. As sales grow, we will establish a
commercial entity to service the region.” He added: “Attracting partners
of this caliber to a global business venture is a compliment to Songwon’s
track record and demonstrates the trust we can demand through our ability
to deliver what we say we are going to do.”
Mr. Hamdan Al Hamdan, Director of Pan Gulf Holding Company, added: “Pan
Gulf is a large and diverse group providing quality products and efficient
services to a wide variety of industries thoughout the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. We pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence in everything
we do, this includes the affiliations we establish and the partners we
choose. We are proud to be associated with Songwon and Polysys as we share
common values and goals and we are excited to further diversify our
portfolio into the polymer industry.”
In conclusion, Mr. Mohamed Al Muhairy, Founder and Managing Director of
Polysys Industries, commented: “The opportunity to join forces with key
partners who are leaders in their field in an industrial venture is a
natural fit with our business strategy.
In the Middle East we
have seen a significant growth in the production of polymers especially
polyolefins, and our goal is to capitalize on this opportunity with a
special focus on the fast growing petrochemical industry in Abu Dhabi.”
Website:
www.songwonind.com
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Flexible Seal Rings Made of Solvay's KetaSpire® PEEK Resin Deliver
Exceptional Ductility
Flexible seal rings from ATO S.r.L., Milan, Italy, a leading
compression molder of high-performance semi-finished goods, are made of
KetaSpire® polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin, manufactured by Solvay
Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, for its exceptional ductility for oil and
gas, food processing, medical, and pharmaceutical applications.
 KetaSpire
KT-820 PEEK provides greater flexibility and elasticity than competitive
PEEK grades, according to Davide Polloni, market development manager for
ATO. For example, these parts can be folded or twisted in half and then
twisted again into three or four small concentric rings. Compression
molded seal rings made of KetaSpire PEEK can also be softer and easily
machined, added Polloni.
Flexible PEEK seal
rings are manufactured via standard compression molding and with ATO’s
specially designed Hot Compression Molding (HCM) process. A custom-made
HCM machine, developed with a machine partner, produces highly elastic,
high-performance semi-finished parts with 30% elongation, which is triple
that of traditional compression molding. The elongation test is done on
samples manufactured directly from semi-finished products, not from
samples made via injection molding. A special feature of the HCM process
is the repeatability of the production cycle through computer-controlled
parameters to ensure high quality and highly consistent products. The
entire production cycle can be traced by the unique identification label
for each semi-finished product.
ATO manufactures
compression molded seals with a diameters from 2.5 cm to 50 cm (1 inch to
20 inches) and thicknesses of 15 mm to 70 mm (0.6 inches to 2.8 inches).
The company also develops custom compounds based on KetaSpire PEEK using
PTFE, graphite, glass, carbon fiber, and other special materials to meet
customer’s demanding performance requirements.
KetaSpire PEEK is
produced to the industry’s highest standards and offers a combination of
superlative properties that allow it to replace metal in some of the most
severe end-use environments. It is one of the industry’s most chemically
resistant plastics and offers excellent strength, superior fatigue
resistance, and a continuous-use temperature in excess of 240°C (464°F).
KetaSpire PEEK’s low
coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) helps to ensure strong
dimensional stability and tight tolerances.
Website:
www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com
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The Industry Directory
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PEplus launch a
FREE directory for the Polymer and associated Packaging industry.
-
Companies,
Conferences, Exhibitions, and Courses are all listed
FREE OF CHARGE.
-
Access to the
directory is FREE OF CHARGE.
Website:
www.the-industry-directory.co.uk
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